[TommyS]

My son is new to the sax and is playing in middle school band. He's been playing a rented new YAS 23. His grandmother just bought him a very clean used Vito Leblanc.
Here's the problem
He can roll up and down throught the scales on the Yamaha with no problem.
On the Vito it sounds good through F, but E ::treble: :line1: and D :treble: :space0: seem about 1 octave high.

He's using a Selmer Paris (C*??? that came with the Yamaha) with Vandoren 2 1/2 reed on both saxes.

Any ideas?

 

[chops2200]

Is he taking lessons? His teacher should take a look at his embouchure, he might be tightening up, or not loosening enough in the lower register. If this isn't it, have a tech look at it and make sure the octave mechanism isn't broken.

I think there's a good chance he's just not opening up his embouchure enough in the lower notes.

 

[TommyS]

The only lessons are at school. he's practicing regulary and going through the exercises detailed in his band fundamentals book.
The weird thing is he plays the basics (B,A,G,F,E,D) just fine on the Yamaha. He can sustain the low notes or roll up and down the scale in quarter notes 2 times per breath with good intonation

E and D jump up when he switches to the VITO.

 

[saintsday]

Perhaps the band director has enough knowledge to look at the horn and determine if the octave mech needs adjustment. You could also have a leak somewhere. A competent tech should be able to sort it out for 20 or 30 bucks.

Do you (or your son) know an experienced player that could play it and find out how much of the problem is your son and how much is the horn?

 

[Pgraves]

If it's not a problem at all on the Yamaha, the Vito probably has a mechanical problem. Or, because of keywork difference he's unknowingly slightly pressing and opening some other key.

 

[TommyS]

We went by the music store and the tech was gone, the sax will be checked today.
Last night I asked him to try it for me again.... no problem this time. I had him sit down and try again.... E and D seem high... hmmmm
Stand up ... plays fine
I don't know if it's his grip or posture, but I think we'll know more if the sax gets a clean bill of health today.

 

[Wonder woman]

If it shoots up when he's sitting, then its very possible that something is being bumped open when he's sitting but not standing. Take a close look at how the instrument is resting, when he's sitting he may be bumping something with his leg and not even realize it.

 

[ClaudeMorris]

Another possibility: The Vito saxophone may need more pressure to emit these notes properly. I am thinking of this because he blows the notes well when standing. If it is the case, the practice of long tones can correct this. He wil get more power and will be able to put more pressure with his diaphragm even when playing piano.

 

[TommyS]

Diagnosed the problem as kid related.
The sax went to the music store and came back with a clean bill of health. The tech/ music teacher played it for about 20 minutes with no problems at all. My son put his mouthpiece on and played it for the tech/teacher.
The teacher noticed that my son was slouching when he sits and clenching his jaw.
The prescription is at least 5 minutes of long tones per day to develop his embouchure and strengthen his diapraghm.

thanks all
Tommy

 

[b00dah]

Sounds like the same problem I'm going through... I'll try that myself.

 

[marchingguy]

For the record, I have found Vito low notes take a bit more pressure than my YAS23. I have experience playing, so it is an easy adjustment, but I still find lower notes easier to play on the Yamaha.

Same mouthpiece/reed.

 

[saintsday]

For the record, I have found Vito low notes take a bit more pressure than my YAS23. I have experience playing, so it is an easy adjustment, but I still find lower notes easier to play on the Yamaha.

Same mouthpiece/reed.

This isn't characteristic if it is a Japan built Yam/Vito or even the older Beaugnier based horn. Yours are the exception.